Aberdeenshire councillors have demanded urgent action from the local authority to stop a psychiatric hospital from falling into further disrepair.
The historic Kingseat hospital was closed in 1999 before being taken over by Avant Homes who were granted planning permission for a mixed use development in December 2004.
The company has subsequently built 300 houses at the site, but failed to refurbish all of the existing historic buildings.
And now, East Garioch members are pressing Aberdeenshire Council to look for more options in an effort to finish the transformation of the former Kingseat site.
Councillor Martin Ford has urged the council to investigate other “planning powers” with a view to them intervening “as soon as possible”.
He said: “I am asking whether there is any scope for the council to consider purchasing the site and completing the development itself?
“Avant has shown complete disregard for the impact of its inaction on residents – those who have already bought their home from the company. The company’s behaviour has been unfair and unreasonable.
“Hopes that a different developer would take over the unfinished area, still owned by Avant, may yet provide an answer, but in the meantime I want the council to take a fresh look at whether it can intervene.”
The hospital’s recreational hall is part of a Section 75 agreement and was excluded from the general planning consent related to the area. This means the developer should keep the building wind and water-tight under special planning conditions.
Chair of the Kingseat Community Association, Carrie Zeiler, added: “The council are aware that the hall is a liability with the potential to be an asset, but without a clear plan of action, they will refuse the ownership of the hall and give it back to Avant.
“We intend to survey the community within the next month or so – we may propose a plan to take ownership of the hall via a community asset transfer, but we would need the whole community’s backing.”
Avant Homes, under the terms of the original planning consent, were obliged to create a children’s play park, which has not yet been built.
An Avant Homes spokeswoman said last night the site was currently for sale, and added: “We have met all of our obligations to date and any future obligations at the development, such as the provision of play facilities, will become the responsibility of the purchaser, once the sale is completed.”
